Systematic Files

My supervisor has offered me some advice: keep your files in neat order, store them systematically and name them sensibly so you always know where files and documents are and can access them with ease when needed (i.e. when your supervisor is looking over your shoulder and asks to see something you have not actually used for months). Again, PhD comics has hit the nail on the head, for my files actually look pretty much exactly like this:

Alos, we use syntax when analysing data on SPSS, this means writing out commands in a programming format instead of going through the drop down lists like a normal person. Again, his advice to me was to keep all the syntax for a specific study in one file and add to that file. Have I done that? Not yet. I intend to...soon!

The Deep End

It has been a long radio silence.

This is what a PhD students life is like, it's busy and hard and leaves little time for other things. To be honest, I have been trying to "ease into" doing this PhD and got slapped in the face for doing so. I have had meetings with both of my supervisors and have felt unprepared for them, partly due to the fact that in all honesty, I haven't been working as hard as I could have. In addition to this my supervisors are hard core statistics boffins and expect me to keep up. And I have been scrambling to do so. The combination of the two have left me less than impressive to them and trying not to cry at most of our meetings.

As a PhD student, you are an apprentice to your supervisor. The PhD is your journey to learning about being an academic, doing research and being able to cope with the demanding publish or perish world of scientific research. You will be challenged, and you will need to prove your worth. I have so far only made a lackluster effort at this. I cried to my supervisor at our last meeting before Christmas. We both agreed that it cannot go on like this. I understand that I have to work harder and he understood that weekly meetings with both supervisors grilling me can be intimidating. So I shall go back with an effort to grow a pair and be more prepared and together, I hope we can come to an agreement on meetings that will prove both positive and productive.

Po: You're not my master. And I'm not the Dragon Warrior.

Shifu: Then why didn't you quit? You knew I was trying to get rid of you, yet you stayed!

Po: Yeah, I stayed. I stayed because every time you threw a brick at my head or said I smelled; it hurt, but it could never hurt more than every day of my life just being me. I stayed because I thought if anyone can change me, can make me not me, it was you! The greatest kung fu teacher in all of China!

Shifu: I can change you! I can turn you into the Dragon Warrior! And I will!